98-730Coimcii File # � '" � / �0
ORlGINA�
Presented By
Referred To
RESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
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VJfIEREAS, the Minnesota Uniform Fire Code is adopted for use by the City of Saint Paul,
Deparhnent of Fire and Safety Services, in Legislative Code § 55.01; and
WFIEREAS, Appendix lA of the Minnesota Uniform Fire Code, entitled "Life Safety
Requirements for Existing Buildings", in ParC 3(c) entitled "Corridors", provides that cozridors
in multi-family residential occupancies with an occupant load of ten (10) or more be comprised
of one-hour fire-resistive consixuction, including 20-minute fire doors; and
WI�REAS, many apartment buildings in Saint Paul were constructed before these fire code
provisions were in effect and aze not therefore equipped with 20-minute fire doors which makes
the financial impact of compliance with this requirement substantial; and
VJHEREAS, the purpose of the fire doors is to confine a fue to a single apartment unit until the
fire deparhnent can arrive to ea�tinguish the fire; and
WI3EREAS, the City of Saint Paul's Department of Fire and Safety Services has consistently
demonstrated an average response time of less than four (4) minutes to a fire emergency; and
WHEREAS, eighty-iwo (82%) of all fires in 1995, the last year for which such data is available,
were confined to the room of origin; and
WHEREAS, there has not been an incident of an apartrnent fire spreading through the exit
corridor due to Che lack of a 20-minute fire door; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minnesota Staxutes § 299F.011, Subd. 5(b) and Saint Paul
Legislative Code § 18.01, the Council of the City of Saint Paul directs that the City's Legislative
Hearing Officer may grant appeals by the owners of multi-family residenual buildings, with an
occupant load of ten (1Q) or persons, from the Mimiesota Uniform Fire Code requirement for 20-
minute fire doors in the corridors of such residential buildings so long as the appeal involves: (1)
an e�sting door and; (2) is subject to the condirion that in the event the door is subsequenfly
replaced for whatever reason, the door shall be replaced with a 20-minute fire door conforming to
the requirements of Appendix lA of the Minuesota L3niform Fire Code; AND BE IT
°f
FINALLY RESOLVED, that these appeals shall only be granted when a11 other requirements of
the Certificate of Occupancy renewai inspection have been met.
ORIGINAL
Re, by Department of:
By:
Porm Appxo City Attomey
BY: ��� �����f
Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
$}' �
Fire & Sa£ety Services
;OMACT PERSON & PHONE
Steve Zaccard, Fire Marshal
7I1ST BE ON COUNCIL AGEN�A BY (DA'f�
DATEINRiA1Fp
4/20/98
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(CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
Pass a resolution directing the Council's Leqislative Hearing Offiqe� to
grant appeals of fare door requirements in certain instan
� _
1lOV� P'
�UL 3 9.199$
PLANNING COMMISSION
CIB COMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
t50NAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER TNE FOLLOWING (
Has ihis perwnlfirm tverworkecl under a coMractfa ihis departmentl
YES NO
2. Has this peraon/firm ever been a city empbyee?
YES NO
3. Does this persoMmi possess a sldll not nortnallypossessetl by airy cuneM cily empbyeel
YES NO
4 Is this peisorJfirm a tar6etetl ventla?
YES NO
Mangvr.o�d�� apartment buildings have non-compliant apartment doors and
replacing them would be a substantial cost that is unreasonable considering
the fire department's demonstrated response time and performance. The
City Council has authority to grant such a variance under Minnesota
Statute 299F.011, Subdivision 5(a)& 5(b).
Less costly to affected apartment building owners. Appeals would only be
granted upon completion of a11 other'correction orders, creating an incenti
for compliance.
State Fire Code requirement for 20 minute apartment £ire doors will not
be technically met
�+AN7AGES IF NOT APPROVED
It will be costly for apartment building owners to replace agartment doors.
It will be costly and time-consuming for the city to enforce this state
C11LL11G1LLGlll�• - O
AMOUNT OF TRANSACiION S
CO37/REVENUE BUDGETED (CIRCLE ON�
YES NO
SOURCE ACTNITYNUMBER